Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.
Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.
The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.
The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.
The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
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Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.
Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.
The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.
The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.
The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
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Disneyland Shanghai sets June opening date POSTED 13 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey Disney has set a new opening date for its first theme park in China, which will open on 16
June later this year.
Iger 'bullish' over Shanghai Disneyland prospect POSTED 23 Dec 2015. BY Tom Anstey Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai
Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
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(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
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